Radio equipment



R. E. APPEL RADIO EQUIPMENT June 11, 1929.

Filed Aug. 16, 1926 2 SheetsS heet men/$01.

ROBERT E. APPEL by afiorney June 11, 1929. R. E. APPEL 1,716,409

RADIO EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 8 ROBERT E. APPELby attorney Patented June 11, 1929.

ROBERT E. APPEL, 0F SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

RADIO EQUIPMENT.

Application filed August 16, 1926. Serial No. 129,458.

The invention relates to radio and telegraphic apparatus, and moreparticularly to means for easily and quickly assembling such apparatusinto receiving or sending sets, and arranging, or re-arranging, orincreasing the number of instruments in a set.

The method of assembling radio and telegraphic apparatus, hithertocommonly prac ticed, requires the use of tools and solder. This methodconsumes much time, requires skill, causes considerable muss, andresults in a set which is not easily changed, enlarged or dissembled.

The purposes of my invention are To make possible and convenient,without the use of tools or solder, the connecting of various apparatusfor the reception, detection, amplification, and reproduction, of radioand telegraphic signals, or for cooperative connec tion of apparatus forthe propagation of such signals, thus assembling a receiving or sendingset; to provide means whereby a set of associated instruments may bequickly and conveniently changed from one hook-up to another, or may beenlarged or disscmbled; it is also an object of my invention to providean easy means to facilitate the making of experiments in radio andtelegraphy for the purpose of instruction, research and development; andto provide improved structural details as will herein appear.

Vith these purposes in view the invention consists in the new and usefulfeatures of construction and combination of parts shown in theaccompanying drawings to which reference is hereby made.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing atop view of a radio equipment embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2' is a conventional wiring diagram showing the hook-up of theradio equipment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top View of one connector unit in operativerelation to an audion tube and shows a series of leads, one of which isplugged into a socket in the connector and into a socket of the audiontube base;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a connector unit of modifiedconstruction showing flexible leads having terminal sockets to receivepins on the connector unit and pins on the radio instrument with whichthe connector co-operates;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 6, 6, of Fig. 5;

Fi g. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of another connector unit ofslightly modified con struction.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the resilient keepersused to detachably connect the several instruments of a radio set withthe main base of the set;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a special socket for standard Abatteries; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a special socket for standard Bbatteries.

Similar reference numerals designate the same parts in the severalviews.

The invention comprises means whereby a number of electricalinstruments, each on its own base, can be quickly associated on a singlemain base, improved means for detachably connecting the instruments withthe main base, a series of connector units, and flexible means forselective connection of the connector units with the instruments.

I will describe: 1sta preferred embodiment of the equipment shown inFigs. 1 and 2; 2n d-the preferred connector unit shown in Figs. 1, 3 and4t. 3rdthe preferred means shown in Fig. 9 for detachably connecting allthe instruments with a single main base; 4ththe modified constructionsillustrated in Figs. 5. 6. 7 and 8; and 5th the special sockets for theB and A batteries shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 11; and I will recite in theclaims the new and useful features of my invention.

Referring to Fig. 1; the letter O designates a mainbase on which all theinstruments are associated. The letters P designate a number ofconnector units of my improved con.- struction, in operative relation tothe other radio instruments. The assembly shown on Fig. 1 is merelytypical, and obviously may comprise a greater or less number ofinstruments arranged differently relative to each other and relative tothe connector units, and still keep within the scope of my invention.

The radio instrumentsshown are: a tuning coil A; variable condensers Band C; grid condenser and grid leak D; an audion tube E a rheostat N; aB battery H; a fixed condenser I; a telephone jack J an A battery K andthe usual aerial L and ground M. Each. instrument, except as stated, hasits own base of improved construction to be described later, adapted fordetachable connection with the main base 0. It is to be noted also thatspecial sockets, shown in detail in Figs. 10

' later;

of one will snftice 'lorlall.

' lVhere it is necessaryfOr two or more leads from instruments to bejoined the usual methodot soldering is superseded by employing theconnector units P. A number of such units are provided for theassembling "or enlarging, or rearranging of a set. They are preferablysecured on the base 0 by screws 15, but other suitable securing devices,such as the keepers Q (Figs. 1, 4 and 9) obviously may be used withoutdeparture from my invention. p r p The preferred connector units P shownin Figs. 1, 3 and l, are all alike, so a description Each connector unitpreferably comprises a'fiatmetal bot.- tom plate 16, an insulating bodyor block l7, a plate .18 of conductive material having a series ofsockets 19 adapted to receive re.- silient slitted plugs 20, connectedwith the flexible lea-ds'R. The plugs 20, being slitted and resilientare dependable to make close electrical contact with the walls ofthesockets'19. f In Fig. 1, I have shownja series of connector units l?spaced apart from each other, each on its own bottom plate 16 and eachhav ing a single insulating block 17and a single conductive plate 18havinga series of sockets 19; it is obvious however that a number ofconductive plates, each having a series of sockets may be associated ina single insulating block without departure from my in? vention; 1 V y 7The bases of the rad o lnstruments'A, E,

D, I, etc., are important elements of my invention. These bases are allof similar construction but diiter in SlZOfi-Ilfl the number of socketsto suit the different instruments. I have shown in Fig. 4 a typicalminor or de tachab'le base S supporting an audion tube E. Theminor baseS isa block of insulating material of suitable dimensions. It has aseries of'bores 21,-each containing a metal socket 22 to receive acorresponding plug 20 on the' flexible lead R. Conductors 23 connect thesockets 2:2 with the electrical instrument E which is mounted on theminor base. Al'dove tail groove 2a extends a suflicicnt distance intothe minor base and receives a corresponding resilient keeper Q which issecured on the main base 0 by screws 25,

extcndingthrough the feet 26 and engaging in the material of the mainbase. i

[The modified connector unit illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, is in themain similar to the preferredeonnector unit. The modified unit Pcomprisesa body 25 of insulating material and ac'onducting element 26,having inand S and has a dovetail groove 29 adapted to ac- ;connnodateakeeperQ} ot the form already described. Upwardly extending slittedplugs 'S'Lhave conducting elements 30 imb'edded in the minorbase S andelectrically connected with the instrument supported on the base. Theleads B have sockets at each end; one socket its on'tlie plug 27 and theother'socket tits on the plug 3ltoelectrically connect P 'lheinodifiedconnect-or unit P illustrated 7 in 7 and 8 comprises an insulatingbody-32: aconducting=plate ggimbcdded in the body an lsockets soldered inperforations in the plate. The leads R shownin Figs. 3 and 4 are adaptedto fit inthe sockets 34c to make the desired electrical connections.

Figure 4 shows a number of leads inserted in the connector unit. Oneof-the leads is shown connected to an electrical socket which replacesthe usual binding post on the radio or telegraphic apparatus.

The leads are preferably provided with terminals at each end so designedas to make a firm electrical connection. lily invention also includesthe resilient keepers Q shown inFigs. 1 means forattaching apparatus'tothe main base. n prime purpose of my invention is 1 l, 7 and 9 which mayserve as a to make it easy andv convenient to change. 7

from one thook up tov another and to pro vide suitable facilities foradding, detaching, orrearranging apparatus ojn-the main base as may bedesired. The keeper shown in Figs. 1 and 9 is adapted to engage thedovetail slot in the minor base which sup close electrical contact withany one of the loopet spring-clip terminals 36 Fig. 10; it also has atthe free end of the-blade a socket 37 to receive a plug 20 such as isshown on the 1ead'R,-i1'1'Fig. 4:; orinstead' of socket, a plug 27 suchas is shown in Figs. 5 and e, adapted to engagein the sockets 28 of theleadlt Connecting devices for the A battery K are shownin Figs. land 11The connecting devices are; a relatively long flat arm 38 con nectedwith one terminal of the battery by a screw 39 which is part of thebattery, and a shorter arm 40 connected with "theother terminal of thebattery by a screw 41 which is part of the battery. At the free end ofeach arm is a socket 42, or a plug 27 (Fig. 5) as the case may be, asalready stated in the description of the B battery connection.

In order to illustrate the mode of use of my invention I have taken asan example a radio receiving set which it is desired to assemble. Thewiring diagram for this set is shown in Fig. 2 in which the usualconventional terms are used to represent the various apparatus asfollows; A a tuning coil with primary an d secondary windings; B and Cvariable condensers; D fixed condenser; E audion tube; H B battery Iphone condenser; J phones; K A battery; L aerial; M ground; N rheostat.

Fig. 1 shows the same set assembled in accordance with my invention. InFig. 1 the reference letters correspond to those in 2 excepting that inFig. 1 the letter J represents a telephone jack instead of the telehonesthemselves shown at J in Fig. 2.

otter J represents the main base which is provided with keepers Q forholding the ap paratus in place and is also provided with connectorunits P. The instruments and other apparatus are provided with socketterminals instead of the usual binding posts. Then by means of the leadsheretofore described the connections are made according to the diagramin Fig. 2. Figs. 10 and 11 show special socket attachments forbatteries. The sockets are parts of the present invention, which admitof making all necessary connections by means of plugging in theterminals of the flexible insulated leads.

It is to be noted that in Fig. 1 extra keepers Q are provided for thepurpose of accommodating additional minor bases S and the iiistrumentsthereon. They also make it possible to rearrange the instruments inpositions suitable to various hook-ups according to the work in hand.

Operation.

Many various modes of using the equipment will occur to persons skilledin the art. it is therefore deemed necessary to recite only thefollowing two typical examples.

1st. In laboratory Work along the lines of radio and telegraphicresearch the various changes in book up that suggest themselves to theexperimenter can be quickly and easily made. For laboratory experimentsin classes of instruction in radio and telegraphy the time alloted foreach class is too small to permit much experimentation by the usualmethod.

In such. cases it is very desirable to have at hand means for quickarrangement, or rearrangement, of the elements of the experimentalequipment, and means to facilitate the elimination of unused elementsand the adding of new elements.

For example, referring to Fig. 1. If the variable condenser B proves tobe oi the wrong capacity for use with the inductance coil A, it only isnecessary to detach the leads R from B, slide it oil the correspondingkeeper Q and replace it by slipping on a condenser ot a diflerentcapacity and replacing the leads R.

2nd. Inasn'iuch as many radio users wish to try the various hook upsthat come into use from time to time and also wish to make experimentson their own initative it is desirable to have a means of so doing whichwill save labor and material, require no soldering, with its attendantmuss, and will readily admit of frequent changes. For example theinvention herein described would permit oneto try several hook ups inthe same evening. One might connect the apparatus to make a single tubenonregenerative set, then change to a regenerative set, then to a refluxset. or perhaps add a stage of amplification, all in short space oftime. When the user gets a hook up that suits him he may leave it thatway until he desires to try something else.

Having fully described-my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A radio kit comprising a single main base; a number of minor basesdisposable on r the main base in changeable relation to each other;radio instruments of the plug and socket type mounted on the respectiveminor bases; attaching devices'adaptcd to connect the minor bases withthe main base in changeable relation to each other to suit variableconditions of use; a number of connector units of the plug and sockettype on said main base; and flexible leads of the plug and socket typeadapted to connect any radio instrument with any connector unit andadapted to electrically connect any radio instrument of the kit with anyother allied instrument of the kit, thereby changing the hook up of thekit at the pleasure of the user.

2. A radio equipment comprising a main base; keepers attachable inselective positions relative to each other on said main base; a numberof minor bases detachably connected with said keepers; a number of radioinstruments, one on each minor baseeach instrument having each of itselectrical elements terminated in a socket; connector units eachcomprising an insulative block and a conductive plate on said insulativeblock and having a number of sockets each adapted to receive oneterminal of a flexible lead; and a number of leads serving to connect acorresponding number of energized radio instru ments through theconductive plates of said connector units.

3. A radio equipment comprising a main base; a number of connector unitson the main base, each connector unit composed of an insulating blockand a conductive plate imvordistributed capacity; a number of radio;mov.able relative to said insulating block, said plate having anumberof fixed contact elementseach adapted to co-act with oneterminaloit' a flexible plugaud socket lead and adapted to transmitieeb'le lmpulses oi radio energy unimpeded'by appreciable resistanceinstruments capable of selective attachment on said main 'ba=se,=eachinstrument adapted forplugandsocket connection with one termiualot' aflexible lead; a number of flexible leads each adapted to plug andsocket connections with anyof said radio instruments, and with .anycofsaid connector units, con- -forma bly toany desiredzhook up of saidradio instruments at points ineicated ouany diagram as oined -w1res,sa1dconnectors bein g themselves normally inert and only energized uponbecoming alinkwbetween a number of leadsconnected with instruments whichare energized. i a

4 ,A-eonnectorunit comprising a body of insulating material associatedwith a body of norm-ally inert conductive material having a number ofcontactelements, all the parts of saidconnector unit beingin iixe'drelation ,5. A radio equipment comprising main main base; a numberof-sour-ces of electric energy a number of minor bases adapted to engagesaid keepers. to detachably connect said minor bases with said mainbase; radio instruments supported on'some of said minor bases; aconnector unit stationary on one'oi said minor bases and comprising aninsulating block and a conducting plate on said block and having aseries of sockets adapted to re ceive a number ofwires plugged into itto elcctricall y connect all wiresso plugged into it and flexibleleaklseaeh having atone end base, ;a number of resilient keepers on saida terminal adapted to engage in any socket in said contact plate'andhaving at its other end a terminal adapted to engage inany socket of anysaid radio instrument tocorrelate said through said connector unit;

radio instruments connected 6. r1 radio kit comprising a single mainbase a number of insulative minor bases each having asocket to receive akeeper; a number of metallic keepers adapted forselective placement onsaid main base andadapted to re in the sockets of said minorbases; oinstruments, each on its own minor base, in ce-operative relation toeach other; connector units on said main base; and flex ible leads ofthe plug-and socket type adapted for selective connections of theradio'instrumeuts with the connector units, with each

